7am

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handed down what is expected to be the government’s last budget before the next federal election. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what’s in the budget, and what it says about the government’s political priorities.   Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. See acast.com/privacy...

Last month police arrested two people accused of possessing extremist material. The arrests came at the same time as Australia’s security agencies were warning of an increase in far-right extremist activity. But now Australian officials have introduced new terminology to talk about the threats we face and are carefully avoiding the term "right-wing". Today, researcher at the Lowy Institute Lydia K...

The relationship between Australia and China has already reached an all time low, but now senior political figures are starting to talk publicly about war. In the past week both the new defence minister, Peter Dutton, and senior public servant Mike Pezzullo, have discussed the possibility of an armed conflict with China. Today, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National Uni...

Next Tuesday, the federal government will drop its highly anticipated budget, laying out its priorities for the next 12 months. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as Australia reckons with the global economic fallout from the virus, and plots an uncertain future.  Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what the Treasurer is planning, and what it might tell us about who should pay fo...

Right now thousands of Australian citizens are trapped in India unable to get home, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to devastate the country.  They are stuck because the Australian government took the unprecedented step of barring all Australians in India from returning. The legality of the move, which the government says is about protecting Australia from the virus, has been questioned by expe...

From Crocodile Dundee to Marvel blockbusters… Australia’s film industry is being rejuvenated by an influx of international productions. The pandemic has forced major film and TV productions to relocate to Australia, bringing with them big name celebrities and jobs. But there are concerns that the production boom here could be more of a bubble, with the main beneficiaries being big overseas studios...

Australia’s restaurant industry has been devastated by lockdowns and the loss of international tourism.  Some of the hardest hit businesses are those in Chinatowns across major cities.  Even before travel bans and lockdowns, many suffered the brunt of anti-Asian racism. Today, writer and food critic Jess Ho on what it could mean if we lose one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world. Guest: Writer J...

The 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame, was recognised for her advocacy against sexual abuse. Since her appointment she’s been outspoken in her criticism of the Morrison government. The government has now launched an urgent review of the Australia Day Council. It denies the review is linked to Grace Tame’s appointment, but it could result in the government having more decision making power ov...

Author and activist Bri Lee regularly runs workshops on consent and sex in schools. In the upcoming issue of The Monthly Bri writes about those workshops in the context of a growing national conversation about sexual harassment and assault. In this special weekend episode of 7am Bri reads her article, 'Ill-informed consent'.   Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Bri Lee. Background reading: Ill-info...

As Prime Minister Scott Morrison has made no secret of his deep, evangelical Christian faith.  At a recent appearance at the Australian Christian Churches conference he referred to social media as evil, and said he believed he was doing God’s work as Prime Minister.  Those comments have ignited debate over the role of faith in political leadership.  Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bon...

Rupert Murdoch’s media empire is one of the most powerful corporate influences right around the world, but in recent years it’s been through radical changes. Now it looks like Rupert is starting to hand power over to his son Lachlan, as part of a succession plan. Journalist Paddy Manning is currently writing a biography of Lachlan Murdoch, titled Sly Fox. Today, Paddy Manning on Lachlan Murdoch’s...

Peter Dutton has long been one of the most controversial ministers in the federal government.  As Immigration minister he became the face of the Coalition’s hardline policy on asylum seekers and refugees. Now, at a time of rising global tension, especially in our region, he’s become the minister for Defence. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on Peter Dutto...

For much of the 20th century Northern Ireland was marred by violence, as Irish republicans and forces aligned to the United Kingdom fought over the future of the region.  That conflict, known as the Troubles, officially came to an end with a peace agreement in 1998.  But now the violence is flaring up again, and there are concerns the fragile peace deal is on the verge of being shattered. Today, w...

The billion dollar Tasmanian salmon industry promotes itself as environmentally friendly, healthy, and good for the state.  But when you look a little closer, the environmental and social impacts are alarming.  Award-winning author Richard Flanagan has seen the impacts of the commercial fishing industry first hand, and has spent years investigating the murky relationship between big business and t...

Nearly a year ago George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. His death sparked a resurgence in the Black Lives Matter movement. Over the last three weeks the world watched and waited as one of the most significant trials in recent history took place and on Wednesday his murderer was found guilty. Today, US journalist Mary McGuire, on the trial of Derek Chauvin, the verdict, and th...

World leaders are preparing to meet for a historic global climate change summit, to try and limit the catastrophic impacts of global warming.  After decades of inaction and a lack of leadership, countries like the United States and China are finally working together to try and develop real solutions. But Australia has already been singled out as a roadblock to taking serious climate action. Today,...

Scientists researching Covid-19 have discovered that the physical impacts of the virus on the body go far beyond what we might have originally thought. The results could have profound impacts for how we respond to and treat Covid-19. Today, Rick Morton on our growing knowledge of how the virus changes our bodies, and our brains. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnyst...

Federal and state governments are locked in a high stakes battle over the future of Australia’s vaccine rollout, while hundreds of millions of people around the world have now received their vaccines. Many countries are now starting to prepare for the resumption of international travel. But in Australia the slow rate of vaccination has led to state premiers becoming more vocal in their criticisms...

The recent wave of allegations in federal parliament have highlighted that the law that’s supposed to protect women from harassment doesn’t actually apply to politicians. Today, Chris Wallace on the surprisingly dramatic history of Australia’s sex discrimination act, and the moves to update it for this current moment.  Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace. See acast.com/privacy for p...

Six months after the chief executive of Australia Post, Christine Holgate, was forced out of her job, she’s now broken her silence. Holgate claims that she was bullied, and has revealed the real reason she believes she was targeted. Today, Paul Bongiorno on what really happened at Australia Post.  Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...

Thirty years ago Australia held a Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, but most of its recommendations still haven’t been implemented and hundreds more Indigenous people have died in custody. Today, Gary Foley on what led to the Royal Commission, and why white Australia needs to face up to its own history. Guest: Activist and academic Gary Foley. See acast.com/privacy for privacy an...

Both the United States and the UK have recently announced policies to increase their tax rates, and spend the revenue on new social policies, as part of their economic response to the pandemic. But Australia is bucking the trend. Today, Mike Seccombe on what Australia’s economic recovery plan is, and who stands to benefit.   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. See a...

Australia no longer has an official vaccination target, and one reason for the delay is our reliance on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been associated with health risks. Today, Dr Melanie Cheng, on weighing up the risks of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and what it all means for Australia’s rollout. Guest: Health columnist for The Saturday Paper Dr Melanie Cheng. See acast.com/privacy for privacy an...

There are growing fears that homelessness could soon rise in Australia. One of the most at risk groups in the country is older women, who face both age and gender discrimination. Today, Kristine Ziwica on the homelessness crisis Australia should have seen coming. Guest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/...

The federal government promised that by the end of March four million Australians would be vaccinated against Covid-19 but as of this week we’ve barely hit a quarter of that target. Today Paul Bongiorno on whether Scott Morrison is doing enough to vaccinate the country.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystud...